Operations Manager | Pilliga

Are you passionate about conservation and making a real difference for Australia's endangered wildlife?
AWC, a global leader in conservation, is looking for a Operations Manager for our Pilliga National Parks partnership. About AWC: Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a global leader in conservation, providing hope for Australia's wildlife with a science-informed, land management partnership approach which delivers high impact results.
We protect endangered wildlife in iconic regions such as the Kimberley, Cape York, the Top End and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.
AWC's mission - to deliver effective conservation for all native animal species and their habitats - is achieved by:
Operations - delivering effective large-scale land management including fire management, feral animal control, weed control and infrastructure management.Science - delivering a nationally-coherent program of ecological surveys with a focus on monitoring key conservation assets and threats, conducting applied research relevant to wildlife conservation, implementing conservation programs including reintroductions, and providing advice on land management.Fundraising - mobilising finance (primarily, tax deductible donations) from the general public and philanthropists including through effective communication of AWC conservation programs.OneAWC is defined as 'a cohesive, engaged, collaborative, high performing group guided by strong, effective leaders.
A group of people who all understand AWC's mission, vision and their role in contributing to the achievement of mission and vision, all connected and working towards a common purpose, guided by a set of shared values'.
The delivery of AWC's mission is highly reliant on all AWC working collaboratively with each other.
About the Role: AWC has entered a historic and groundbreaking partnership with the NSW Government – the first public-private collaboration of its kind in Australia.
Delivering environmental management programs across two locations, the Pilliga (35,600 ha), consisting of the Pilliga State Conservation Area and Pilliga National Park (Gilgai Section) located in the northwest plains region and Mallee Cliffs NP in southwestern NSW (58,000 ha).
At each location, AWC is:
Proactively engaging with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for the effective delivery of the agreed partnership project outcomes.Reintroducing locally extinct mammals by establishing large feral predator-free areas, using conservation fencing, into which up to 10 threatened mammal species will be released.Delivering associated land management (feral animal control, weed control etc.)
and science services across the project sites.Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager - South-East, the Pilliga Operations Manager's organisational responsibilities include:
Supervising and delivering land management services across the Pilliga project area utilising AWC systems and processes.Proactively engaging with AWC's South-East science team, South-East operations team and the national Development (Fundraising) team to ensure seamless integration towards organisational deliverables.Forming a close and effective working partnership with the NSW Government, Baradine NPWS representatives.Contributing to the leadership of AWC through engaging with peers and leaders across the AWC organisation.Living the AWC organisational culture of a strong focus on outcomes; good science; and practical, cost-effective delivery.Engaging positively with the local community and other key stakeholders.As directed by the Regional Operations Manager - South-East, the Pilliga Operations Manager will liaise with AWC's Development and Communications teams, noting that AWC is making a significant philanthropic investment as part of the partnership with NSW.
Key Competencies: Getting things done: exceptional planning and organisational skills, including proven ability to coordinate, prioritise and execute a large number of tasks in an efficient manner.Supervising staff: self-starter capable of leading and working as part of a team (employees, contractors, volunteers and students) with demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience.Working with people: excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.Infrastructure and asset management: demonstrated substantial practical skills in asset maintenance and infrastructure projects including:Supervising and hands-on implementation of infrastructure projects such as fencing, buildings, services i.e.
energy and water systems;Supervising and implementation of an asset maintenance program;Ability to use a wide range of plant (e.g.
tractor, 4WD's) and equipment, including performing routine repairs and maintenance (including mechanical).Land management: demonstrated knowledge and practical experience delivering land management programs including:Planning and hands-on delivery of feral eradication programs both within fenced areas and across unfenced landscapes;Planning and hands-on delivery of prescribed fire programs, including wildfire response;Planning and hands-on delivery of weed removal programs.Financial management: demonstrated ability to help deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to assist in the management of financial resources including:Developing and operating within an agreed budget and operational plan for the Pilliga;Coding and tracking expenditure and preparing written financial and operational reports.Collecting management data and writing reports: demonstrated ability to collect, manage, store and analyse data from land management operations and to compile written reports for internal and external audiences.Human resources management: proven ability recruiting, managing, developing and leading staff to deliver programs and projects to plan including effective collaboration and teamwork with other teams such as the NSW Science team as required.Resourcefulness: the ability to improvise and 'problem-solve', developing practical solutions with limited resources.Living in the bush: previous experience and ability to work and live in a rural area, and the supervision of teams in geographically diverse locations.Compliance: the ability to understand obligations and lead a team to ensure they are met.Information technology: intermediate competence in using standard business and land management software applications such as Word, Excel, MS Outlook, QGIS, Avensa, Fulcrum, Monday.com, and Asset Panda is essential.Nature conservation: experience and an interest in nature conservation.Qualifications and Experience: Relevant Conservation Land Management professional qualification preferable, however consideration will be given to applicants with depth of relevant technical training and operational and/or land management experience.Licences and Certificates: Valid manual driver's license with 4WD experience in difficult conditions is essential.Experience operating agricultural machinery such as trucks and tractors and relevant licenses, where required.Bushfire control experience and willingness and ability to undertake NPWS crew member training requirements.Current advanced first aid certificate.Current Police clearance certificate.Relevant firearms experience, valid license and willingness to undertake NPWS firearms training requirements.Inherent requirements of the role: The execution of tasks associated with the position involves fieldwork in a rural and semi-remote location and can occasionally be away from an established field base working alone.
The working environment is often outdoors and in the extremes of weather – hot or cold and wet or dry, especially when conducting fire and fence patrol or maintenance operations.
The position is physically demanding, requiring heavy muscular activity including lifting and carrying, pushing and pulling loads, bending, climbing and driving a variety of vehicles.
The successful applicant must be physically capable of performing these activities to carry out the inherent role responsibilities.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a full-time role contracted till April 2026.
Join our Journey: Take the leap and start your next adventure with the AWC!
AWC reserves the right to start screening applicants and interviewing throughout the recruitment process.
For Initial enquiries:******APPLICATIONS: To submit an application, click 'Apply' and follow the prompts to complete an online application form.
Your application must include CV and covering letter, briefly addressing the critical competencies listed in the detailed job description attachment.
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a suitable visa in place in order to apply.
Sponsorship is not available.Applicants will undergo relevant pre-employment checks, which may include an online medical and a values-based assessment.If you apply for this role, AWC will include you in its ongoing updates and communications about its events, activities and fundraising initiatives.
You may opt out of these communications at any time.Any application submitted to AWC will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at www.australianwildlife.org/privacy-policy.
By providing us with your contact details, your consent to receive communications and direct educational material will remain current until you advise us otherwise.AWC is a welcoming and inclusive organisation that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as those who identify as First Nations and Torres Strait Islander, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, to apply for the opportunity.
AWC values and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves, and where a range of perspectives, cultures, and voices are respected and recognised as a key part to the success of AWC.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also have the right to live and work in Australia.

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